Maintaining Your Game in the Final Months of the Season
The overseas basketball grind is real. By the time the final stretch of the season rolls around, you’ve already logged countless hours in the gym, endured long bus rides, and battled through ups and downs on the court. Fatigue sets in, homesickness creeps up, and staying locked in can feel like an uphill battle. But […]
What GMs and Coaches Value Beyond the Stats
It’s easy to assume that your stats will speak for themselves. Points per game, rebounds, assists—these numbers are often the first things coaches and general managers (GMs) look at when evaluating players. But make no mistake: stats alone don’t secure contracts or keep you on a roster. The truth is, many players with solid stats […]
How to Keep Your Game Sharp Overseas When Gym Access Is Limited
For overseas basketball players, maintaining your game can be challenging, especially when access to a gym or practice facility is limited. Whether it’s due to team schedules, budget constraints, or even the offseason, staying ready is non-negotiable. Here are some tried-and-true ways to stay sharp, no matter the circumstances. 1. Go Old-School: Find a Hoop […]
Breaking Out of a Shooting Slump
Every basketball player, from amateurs to seasoned pros, experiences shooting slumps. For overseas players, however, the stakes can be higher—a prolonged slump might jeopardize your employment. The pressure to perform in a foreign environment, coupled with the fear of being replaced, can make a slump feel insurmountable. But the truth is, a shooting slump is […]
How Your Actions Today Shape Your Next Contract
When I spoke with an agent a few months back, she said something that shifted my perspective. She told me, “Whatever a player does now affects their next contract.” At first, I thought she was just talking about stats—something every player knows is crucial. But she meant more than that. Your next contract isn’t just […]
The Value of Learning the Language: A Pro’s Perspective
When you’re playing basketball overseas, the term “journeyman” takes on a whole new meaning. The reality is that most contracts, especially for rookies, are short-term—often just for one season. Even veteran players rarely secure multi-year deals, which means you might find yourself bouncing from country to country, year after year. With this constant movement, many […]
Navigating and Executing Set Plays Overseas
One of the biggest challenges I see many rookies struggle with overseas is understanding and executing their roles within set plays. Adjusting to this aspect of the game can be tough, especially when you’re new to the professional scene. As a pro now, learning and mastering your playbook is part of your job—there’s no other […]
Higher Injury Risk for Gap Year Players?
The title might initially seem a bit harsh, but it’s grounded in reality: players who have taken a gap year or more from competitive play are at a significantly higher risk of injury compared to those who have remained active in season play. This isn’t about discrimination—it’s about understanding the physical demands of professional basketball […]
The Unspoken Reality: Why Import Players Frequently Change Teams in Overseas Basketball
As a former player and coach overseas and deeply rooted in team dynamics, I understand the value of camaraderie and collective achievement. However, in overseas basketball, import players face a distinct reality shaped by short-term contracts and transient team dynamics. Factors Contributing to Frequent Team Changes -Short-Term Contracts: Unlike other professional sports leagues where players […]
The “When I Make It To A Bigger League” Myth
In the world of overseas hoops, it’s not uncommon to hear athletes express their aspirations of reaching higher leagues as a catalyst for taking their game more seriously. Excuse my French, but that is a bunch of bullsh*t! The notion that a bigger paycheck or a more prestigious platform will magically transform one’s approach to […]